PETA opens Shakespeare rap musical

ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) recently opened a unique musical in an effort to make William Shakespeare less intimidating and more exciting for the youth.

Titled "William," it reinvents the English poet and playwright through rap and hip-hop.

PETA noted that just like today's rap hits, Shakespeare's works are based on beats, rhythm and rhyme. The group even went as far as calling him "the world's original rapper."

"I brought in rap and hip-hop as the contemporary voice and language of young people today. I hope that Shakespeare's poetry and today's rap find a point of conversation and evolve into engaging dialogue and drama," Maribel Legarda, director of "William," said in a statement.

"William" features 10 original rap songs composed by Jeff Hernandez which are a mix of various genres such as rock, soul, funk, RnB and hip-hop.

It also utilizes FlipTop, a form of rap that is becoming more popular among today's Filipino youth.

The cast of "William" also trained in rap, breakdance and hip-hop in preparation for the play. Their mentors include Tondo rapper Shielbert Manuel, more popularly known as "O.G. Sacred," and choreographer John Tan of the Urban Dance Crew.

"William" will run until September 25 at the PETA Theater Center in New Manila, Quezon City.

Below are the play dates for the Shakespeare-inspired play:

August 26 to 28

September 2 to 4

September 9 to 11

September 16 to 18

September 23 to 25

For inquiries and ticket reservations, contact PETA at (632) 725-6244 or 410-0821 or e-mail [email protected]